Hexagon Calculator

Calculate all properties of a regular hexagon including area, perimeter, side length, apothem, radius, and diagonals. Enter any known value for instant results.

What do you know?

Enter Hexagon Side

Side (s)
5.0000
Perimeter (P)
30.0000
Area (A)
64.9500
Apothem (a)
4.3300
Radius (r)
5.0000
Short Diagonal
8.6600
Long Diagonal
10.0000
Interior Angle
120°

Formulas Used

• Perimeter: P = 6s = 30.0000
• Area: A = (3√3/2)s² = 64.9500
• Apothem: a = (√3/2)s = 4.3300
• Radius: r = s = 5.0000
• Short Diagonal: d₁ = √3·s = 8.6600
• Long Diagonal: d₂ = 2s = 10.0000

Measurements Comparison

Area Visualization

About Regular Hexagons

A regular hexagon is a six-sided polygon where all sides are equal length and all interior angles are 120°. It's one of the most efficient shapes in nature, famously used by bees in honeycombs to maximize storage while minimizing material.

Key Hexagon Properties

  • Side (s): Length of one edge
  • Perimeter (P): Total distance around = 6s
  • Area (A): Space inside = (3√3/2)s² ≈ 2.598s²
  • Apothem (a): Distance from center to midpoint of any side = (√3/2)s
  • Radius (r): Distance from center to any vertex = s (circumradius)
  • Short Diagonal: Connects vertices separated by one vertex = √3·s
  • Long Diagonal: Connects opposite vertices = 2s
  • Interior Angle: Always 120° for regular hexagons

Real-World Applications

  • Honeycomb structures (nature's most efficient design)
  • Hexagonal tiles and flooring patterns
  • Bolt heads and nuts (engineering)
  • Board games (hex grids in strategy games)
  • Architectural designs and pavilions
  • Molecular structures (benzene rings in chemistry)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the area of a hexagon?

For a regular hexagon with side length s, the area formula is A = (3√3/2)s², which simplifies to approximately 2.598s². For example, if the side is 5 units, the area is (3√3/2) × 5² = 2.598 × 25 ≈ 64.95 square units.

What is the apothem of a hexagon?

The apothem is the distance from the center of the hexagon to the midpoint of any side. For a regular hexagon, apothem = (√3/2)s, where s is the side length. It's also the height of each of the 6 equilateral triangles that make up the hexagon.

What's the difference between radius and apothem?

The radius (circumradius) goes from the center to a vertex (corner), while the apothem goes from the center to the midpoint of a side. In a regular hexagon, radius = side length, and apothem = (√3/2) × side length. The apothem is always shorter than the radius.

How many diagonals does a hexagon have?

A hexagon has 9 diagonals total: 3 long diagonals (connecting opposite vertices) and 6 short diagonals (connecting vertices separated by one vertex). The long diagonals are twice the side length (2s), and short diagonals are √3 times the side length (√3·s).

Why are hexagons so common in nature?

Hexagons are the most efficient shape for dividing a surface into equal areas with minimal perimeter. This is why bees use hexagonal cells in honeycombs - it uses the least wax while providing maximum storage space. This property makes hexagons ideal for tessellation (tiling without gaps).

Can hexagons tile a surface completely?

Yes! Regular hexagons are one of only three regular polygons that can tile a flat surface with no gaps (the others are triangles and squares). This is because the interior angle of 120° allows exactly three hexagons to meet at each vertex (3 × 120° = 360°).

What is the perimeter formula for a hexagon?

The perimeter of a regular hexagon is simply P = 6s, where s is the side length. Since all six sides are equal, you just multiply the side length by 6. For example, a hexagon with 5-unit sides has a perimeter of 30 units.

How is a hexagon related to triangles?

A regular hexagon can be divided into 6 equilateral triangles, all meeting at the center. Each triangle has a side length equal to the hexagon's side. This is why the radius equals the side length - the radius forms one side of these equilateral triangles.

What Our Users Say

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“Exactly what I needed for my geometry project! The ability to input any property and get all the others is incredibly helpful. The formulas shown make it perfect for checking my work.”

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“I design hexagonal tile patterns for clients. This calculator saves me hours of manual calculations. The visual charts help me present dimensions clearly to manufacturers.”

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Interior Designer
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“Fast, accurate, and comprehensive. I use this for board game design where hex grids are common. The export feature is perfect for documentation!”

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Game Designer
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